German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.
77th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.
Mannheim,
24.-28.05.2006.
DÃ¼sseldorf, KÃ¶ln: German Medical Science; 2006. Doc06hno110

Gliederung

Introduction: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) represents a new, minimal invasive tool for focal brain stimulation. Neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation of the area of increased activity within the primary auditory cortex was able to reduce tinnitus perception. Some of these patients had long term improvement of their tinnitus complaints, which could be detected six months after stimulation [Ref.Â 1]. The therapeutical success might be reflected in an induction of dynamic neuroplastic processes. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM), a sophisticated whole brain technique based on high-resolution, three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging to detect subtle, region-specific changes in grey and white matter [Ref.Â 2].

Methods: Repetitive TMS to the left auditory cortex (110% motor threshold; 1 Hz; 2000 stimuli/ day over 10 days) was administered to patients suffering from chronic tinnitus. To detect dynamic neuroplastic changes a structural MRI scan (T1, MPRAGE) was performed before and after stimulation. The scans were evaluated based on principles of voxel-based morphometry.

Conclusion: These results might indicate that rTMS is able to induce structural changes in the directly stimulated cortical regions as well as in functionally associated brain regions. These findings might explain the long-term effects of rTMS in therapeutical application, e.g. in tinnitus patients.